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Press release
Economic uncertainty clouds consumer
confidence
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Date 30 April 2016
Press Contact:
Stuart Ridsdale
0208 891 2870 / 07790 951229
stuart@greenfields
communications.com
Index tumbles into negative territory for the first time in 15
months
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index dropped three points in
April to -3. All of the measures used to calculate the Index saw decreases
this month.
www.gfk.com
Joe Staton, Head of Market Dynamics at GfK, says:
“Mixed-messages about a post-Brexit world and the on-going Eurozone
crisis are casting a cloud over our economy. After a continuous 15-month
showing of positive numbers in the barometer, April 2016 sees the UK drop
back into negative territory with a -3 score. The biggest dent to confidence
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25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5LQ
comes from consumers’ depression about the general economic situation
in the UK for the next year, dropping 20 points in 12 months. Against this
backdrop, even faith in our personal economic fortunes has taken a
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Fax +44 (0)20 7890 9001
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battering contributing to the overall fall in the numbers. Trends in
Place of registration:
England and Wales
and this indicator will make for interesting reading between now and the EU
confidence show our degree of optimism about the state of the economy
referendum on June 23rd.”
Company number:
2512551
Registered office:
GfK UK Limited
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5LQ
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UK Consumer Confidence Measures – April 2016
The Overall Index Score has dropped three points this month to -3.
Personal Financial Situation
The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last 12
months has decreased by one point to +3; this is three points higher than
April 2015.
The forecast for personal finances over the next 12 months has decreased
by two points to +7 this month; this is the same as this time last year.
General Economic Situation
The measure for the General Economic Situation of the country during the
last 12 months has decreased by four points this month to -14; this is 17
points lower than April 2015.
Expectations for the General Economic Situation over the next 12 months
have decreased by two points to -14 this month; this is 20 points lower than
April 2015.
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Major Purchase Index
The Major Purchase Index has decreased six points this month to 5; this is
one point lower than this time last year.
Savings Index
The Savings Index is seven points higher this month at 5; which is also
seven points higher than April 2015.
- ENDS EDITOR’S NOTE: Please source all information to GfK.
For further details or to arrange an interview, please contact Stuart Ridsdale at
Greenfields Communications E: [email protected]
Tel: 0208 891 2870 / 07790 951229 OR Lucy Green
E: [email protected] Tel: 07817 698366
About the survey
 The UK Consumer Confidence Barometer is conducted by GfK on behalf of the
EU, with similar surveys being conducted in each European country. In
producing its own reports on the whole of Europe, the EU applies a seasonal
adjustment to the data, to smooth out any changes that are functions, at least in
part, of the time of year.

Historically, the UK data have not been seasonally adjusted in this way, and to
maintain comparability, GfK continues not to apply this adjustment. This can
lead to situations where the EU figures show different movements in a particular
month from those produced by GfK. Individual months may be affected, but the
long term trend is not.

The UK Consumer Confidence Survey from GfK was conducted amongst a
sample of 2002 individuals aged 16+ on behalf of the European Commission.

Quotas are imposed on age, sex, region and social class to ensure the final
sample is representative of the UK population.

Interviewing was carried out during 1 – 15 April 2016.

The figures contained within the Consumer Confidence Barometer have an
estimated margin of error of +/-2%.

Results for the Consumer Confidence Barometer are normally available on the
last working day of each month at 00.05am; the release date for May 2016 is
th
Friday 27 May 2016.

Any published material requires a reference to both GfK and the European
Commission e.g. ‘Research carried out by GfK on behalf of the European
Commission’.

This study has been running since 1974. Back data is available from 1996.

The table below provides an overview of the questions asked to obtain the
individual index measures:
st
th
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Personal
Financial
Situation
(Q1/Q2)
General
Economic
Situation
(Q3/Q4)
Major
Purchase
Index
(Q8)
Savings
Index
(Q10)
This index is based on the following questions to consumers: ‘How
has the financial situation of your household changed over the last
12 months?’
‘How do you expect the financial position of your household to
change over the next 12 months?’ (a lot better – a little better –
stay(ed) the same – a little worse – a lot worse)
This index is based on the following questions to consumers: ‘How
do you think the general economic situation in this country has
changed over the last 12 months?’
‘How do you expect the general economic situation in this country to
develop over the next 12 months?’
(a lot better – a little better – stay(ed) the same – a little worse - a
lot worse)
This index is based on the following question to consumers: ‘In view
of the general economic situation, do you think now is the right time
for people to make major purchases such as furniture or electrical
goods?’
(right time – neither right nor wrong time – wrong time)
This index is based on the following question to consumers: ‘In view
of the general economic situation do you think now is?’ (a very good
time to save – a fairly good time to save – not a good time to save –
a very bad time to save)
(Commented on but not included in the Index Score)
About GfK
GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer information that enables
its clients to make smarter decisions. More than 13,000 market research experts
combine their passion with GfK’s long-standing data science experience. This
allows GfK to deliver vital global insights matched with local market intelligence
from more than 100 countries. By using innovative technologies and data sciences,
GfK turns big data into smart data, enabling its clients to improve their competitive
edge and enrich consumers’ experiences and choices.
Responsible under press legislation: Marketing, GfK, Natasha Fernando, 25
Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LQ [email protected]
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